“Each user role will have different uses and benefits for the information we produce. ROCM can help each user role by making relevant vehicle data accessible to help them in their decision-making process.
We already mentioned availability above – allowing better planning of rail maintenance works to periods with lower demand and by proving opportunities to reduce the time required for maintenance activities. For example: replacing manual Condition Based Maintenance activities with remote automated Condition Monitoring or, when talking about Corrective Maintenance, allowing the diagnostic procedures to commence way before the train enters the depot (studies mention ~30 per cent of the time trains spend in the workshop is used for manual failure diagnostics). Simultaneously with greater levels of availability, this process automation through digitalisation, can trigger opportunities to improve resource efficiency, in particular manpower that can be diverted to other activities. This information also allows the monitored train systems to be used up to their operational limit. When using condition-based strategies and remote monitoring, as opposed to classic mileage or time-based maintenance which are unaware of the real condition of the system, this can result in some situations where the system is maintained too late (risk of failure) or too soon (not used to its full potential).
Looking at operational activities, there are also potential benefits to be reaped with the use of tools such as: real-time information on train and train system status, ability to forecast potential disruptions and mitigate them, hotline support to train staff, etc.
For roles that are responsible for the reliability analysis, the historical data can help to better understand and answer questions such as: is the system being properly maintained? Is it being properly operated? Do we have a reliability issue that might require a redesign?
Finally, regarding the Asset Management/Asset Ownership roles, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is critical and is closely linked to the roles above and any opportunities to improve performance. Generating more revenue with your assets can be leveraged with higher availability, cost reduction can be obtained with improved rail maintenance efficiencies, and mitigating the risk of critical disruptions can reduce the likelihood of incurring penalties.”